Reading the Omnivore's Dilemma and learning about overproduction of corn in the US (Why is there overproduction even when the prices are low? Where does the excess biomass go to? What are its effects on man and the environment? etc..etc...) made me think about the food industry and nutritional status of Pinoys in the Philippines.
Is there any relationship at all?
With the current rice shortage in Philippines, I can't stop but wonder if it is simply a problem of inadequate production, unequal distribution or people are just being greedy and hoard most of the supplies so they can jack up the price later on. Joji said she read in the newspaper that Mindanao farmers are trying to hoard the rice.
I haven't really done that much reading yet. Maybe it's a sign that I need to educate myself more about the food industry in the Philippines and look at how yoga or mitahara can help solve some of the current health problems in the nation (gee, I sound like a public health advocate already).
It says here that protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies are two of the leading nutritional problems in the Philippines. The prevalence of overweight and obesity is also increasing and so do diseases of the heart and the vascular system.
To address this problem, the government has the Republic Act 8976 or the Food Fortification Act of 2000. It covers all imported or locally processed foods or food products for sale or distribution, for human consumption in the Philippines. It consists of 2 systems: voluntary food fortification and mandatory food fortification for specific food products. Vitamin A, iron and iodine are the micronutrients that are often inadequate in the Filipino diet thus the government's solution is to fortify certain food products sold in the market.
Of course there are many factors involved in this issue but to me, it's like saying, "Eat these food products and you'll be healthy".
And what are these food products? Instant noodles, snack foods (a.k.a. junk foods like tortilla chips, cheese balls and chocolate-coated biscuits), sandwich spreads, cheese products, instant juice drinks, canned goods, etc. See the detailed list here.
What does yoga and mitahara got to do with this? Yoga teaches us to take good care of our health and watch our diet so we can have a better life. Mitahara teaches that we should eat moderately in accordance to one's constitution.
Eat simple, fresh, locally produced wholesome foods.
As Michael Pollan said in his book, In Defence of Food, "Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants".
This is probably an oversimplified view of the whole picture but hey, I'm just trying to share my thoughts.
Namaste.
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Equanimity of mind is Yoga. Do everything, Arjuna, centered in that equanimity. Renouncing all attachments, you'll enjoy an undisturbed mind in success or failure - Bhagavad Gita 2:48
1 comment:
RTE News: Food: A global crisis
Thanks for the link M.
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